Video edited on Kapwing

Millions of people visit Jamaica each year, and with good reason: sandy beaches, blue water, good food, perhaps the promise of a Red Stripe or two.

Jockeys Angel Cruz and Jeiron Barbosa, along with Barbosa’s agent Tom Stift, made that trip themselves in early August. But instead of a lazy weekend watching the waves roll in, Cruz and Barbosa were there to work.

Barbosa went to Jamaica at the invitation of Caymanas Park, the island’s lone racetrack, and asked Stift and Cruz to accompany him. Each rider had a few mounts on the track’s August 6 card, and each notched a winner.

“They absolutely loved it,” Stift said of the riders. “They both said they wished it was like this [back in the U.S.]. [The fans] were chanting and everything else. It was super-cool to see.”

Barbosa, 20, picked up a mount for the day’s first race, and that ended up being even-money winner Rani Bangala.

“Here is Barbosa and Rani Bangala timing it perfectly in the end,” the track announcer called as Rani Bangala flashed between runners late to prevail.

Two races later, his close friend Cruz – “I’ve known him since he was like,” the 29-year-old Cruz said, holding his hand out to indicate very young – piloted Immeasurable Joy to a popular win at 4-5.

“It was a nice experience,” Cruz said. “I got a win; Barbosa got a win.”

“Jamaica’s amazing,” Barbosa agreed.

August 6 was the day of the Jamaican Derby – also Jamaican Independence Day – and a crowd Stift estimated to be several thousand strong was on hand. Make that a surprisingly knowledgeable crowd of several thousand.

“I’m happy because I know the love of Jamaica went to me,” said Barbosa.

“They knew what horses they rode,” Stift said of the Jamaican racing fans’ knowledge of the American riders. “They knew how many they rode last week, how many they won last week. With the selfies and the autographs, it was unreal.”

“The fans over there, they treat the jockeys really well,” Cruz added. “You know, it’s like if I was an MLB baseball player or a basketball player, that’s how the fans treat you over there. They know all the horses we ride, they know everything.”

Caymanas is owned by Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment, whose chairman, Soloman Sharpe, is working to make inroads into the American betting market, Stift said. Bringing well known US riders to the track serves as both a treat for the local fans and a hook to entice Americans to pay attention. Edgard Zayas, the Gulfstream Park-based jock, also rode on that same card, finishing third in the Jamaican Derby.

“It was a great day,” Zayas said in a news broadcast.

Sharpe reached out to Gulfstream track announcer Pete Aiello looking for another rider, Stift said. Aiello reached out to the agent, who contacted his jockey, and the wheels were in motion.

With some high-profile negative stories having come out of Puerto Rico, Caribbean racing isn’t held in the highest regard by many Americans. But Stift and the riders were impressed by what they saw at Caymanas.

“You don’t know going in; we only knew what we were told,” Stift said. “But the horses all look good. They’re well taken care of, and the track’s in great shape.”

“That track is beautiful,” Cruz agreed. “Whoever goes over there is going to love it.”

Indeed, the riders were so taken with their Jamaican sojourn, they returned home with lighter luggage. Left behind: some riding equipment given to new friends in the Caymanas jockey room.

“I gave all my tack over there because I know the people need it,” Barbosa explained. “My vest, all my tack. They were happy with that.”

As summer vacations go, this one was a bit of a busman’s holiday. Yet all three said they’d be happy to return the next time the opportunity presented itself.

“How good they treated us,” Stift said he would remember. “And the food was unbelievable.”

“They invited me and my agent in December, so I hopefully get the opportunity to go over there again,” Barbosa said.

“We’re like celebrities, big-time,” his friend added. “It was a special moment, and we enjoyed it.”

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!